Hexed

[Casceil]

This buddy read is planned for September 24, 2014.

[Cherie]

I have my book downloaded to my Nook and will be ready to join you. Gives me some time to fit in a couple of other reads. Happy, Happy, Happy!

[Sarah]

I just collected my copy from the library. It took 2 weeks to come in - I think that's the longest I've had to wait for a book through them.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Oh i am glad I checked this thread. I thought we were starting on the 27th. I may have to mix things up a bit... dammit.

[Casceil]

Sarah, I'm so glad your book arrived. It took long enough.

[Sarah]

I thought it was 27th too Rusalka! I'm probably going to be a day or two late starting if it's 24th as I am doing the Prince of Thorns buddy read too which starts 21st.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Lexx couldn't sleep on Saturday night so finished the audio of Hounded and started Hexed. He was wandering around the house yesterday listening to it and giggling. Complete tease.

[Casceil]

Everyone ready to start reading? I know I am.

[Laura]

I thought it was later too! Argh!

[Cherie]

Two hours to go on my audio book of Outlander and I will be starting Hexed.

[Casceil]

I think we may be getting a late start, but everyone just join in when you can.

[Sarah]

I'm going to be a late starter unfortunately!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I'm really trying to make a dent in Wuthering Heights first. I will start on my Sat (your friday night) no matter what, read Hexed over the long weekend, and pick up Wuthering again when I'm done.

Although I just remembered "30 days has Sept..." dammit.

[Casceil]

I've read the first 50 pages of Hexed, and it is a very fast read. I'm thinking though, that perhaps we should wait at least a couple of days to start actually discussing it. Does starting on the 27th work better for the rest of you? (That's our Friday, for most of us, and lines up with Rusalka's plan. Rusalka, I am extremely sympathetic about Wuthering Heights. I've read it at least twice, and it's a great book, but it never gets "easy.")

[Sarah]

Sounds good Casceil. I finished the group read today so I can start this one tomorrow.

[Cherie]

I fell asleep last night before I finished Outlander and I really need to finish Good Omens before I start Hexed. I may wait until Saturday too to start.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Started!

[Sarah]

And I'm starting now too.

[Laura]

Me too and I'm loving it! How about you, Rusalka?

The humor in this series is so perfect for me. I love the main characters, and I like that there are different types of magic too, for different packs/creatures. I'm liking Malina more in this one! The witches intrigue me. :))

[Casceil]

I'm about a quarter of the way in, and I am enjoying it as well. The action seems almost non-stop, though there are occasional quiet moments for important things like dog baths. Oberon still gets a story, and develops a new enthusiasm.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Only read 3 chapters so far. Definitely enjoyed those!

[Sarah]

This is a really quick read! Nice to be back in the world with Atticus and Oberon. It's been a while since I read book 1 (I didn't take part in the buddy read). But at least some bits are explained that happened in book 1 in this one as it helped jog my memory. What I liked about the first book were all the popular culture references as they always made me smile so I'm glad to see they are still a feature. I'm thinking that Kevin Hearne must be of a similar age to me given the things he includes (just went off to check and he's a bit older - born in 1970).

On the front of the book, there is a blurb which says "American Gods meets Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden" and I love both of those! I can definitely see why they say American Gods especially once I got to chapter 7/8 in Hexed (view spoiler)[when Atticus speaks to Mrs MacDonagh about how people create gods with their faith and imagination but also direct where they go/live. Love that Mrs MacDonagh manifested Mary so Atticus could have his weapons blessed. (hide spoiler)]

So in book one, Oberon was told the story of Genghis Khan which he focused on a lot and in this one (chapter 6)(view spoiler)[during his bath, Atticus talks about the Magic Bus and the 60s which made me smile. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Sarah, I loved that too (about Mary). And the whole faith aspect. It was awesome! In my imagination, Hearne isn't particularly religious, but I love the stance he takes (in this series, anyway) about religion. To me, it's very open and inclusive and I like that.

(view spoiler)[ I also love that he needs to work on healing the earth where the bad god in the last book (sorry, bad memory) called the demons forth. I love the way the magic interacts with nature/the earth in this series. (hide spoiler)]

The series has become a new favorite for me, for sure.

[Laura]

I wanted to add too that the audiobook is terrific. Same narrator as the first book. He makes it even more funny and I love all the different accents he does so well.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Lexx is listening to the audiobooks (and has lapped me the bastard) and is really enjoying them, but says the narrator says some words really strangely. Odd armour/mythology words strangely (cuirass comes to mind as an example) but normal words too. Anyone else find this?

For me, just finished Chapter 9 and a little confused (view spoiler)[ why is Atticus so pissed off? I don't get what the trick is. It's just a school where coyotes are the mascot but not actually Coyote's territory? (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

The first couple of pages in this book talked about word pronunciation of the Polish and Irish words which I thought was a nice touch. I suppose there is no need for that on the audio.

Laura, it was Aenghis Og (sp?) (view spoiler)[I too like that Atticus is working to heal the earth at that spot. I like how he lives in harmony with nature, drawing on the Earth's magic to heal him when required and in return he can give back too. (hide spoiler)]

Religion (view spoiler)[I like how he uses all pantheons and while his main character is a druid and therefore worships the Celtic gods/goddesses, there is no swaying to one over another - mainly because the theory is that believers bring the gods/goddesses in to being so therefore all of them are real and therefore the "correct god/s". (hide spoiler)]

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Sarah wrote: "The first couple of pages in this book talked about word pronunciation of the Polish and Irish words which I thought was a nice touch. I suppose there is no need for that on the audio.

Laura, it w..."

He's been looking at my hard copies to see how words he knows pronounced are spelt. No, apparently there are weird pronunciations of English words. Ah well.

I like to call him Angus ;)

[Laura]

Rusalka wrote: "Lexx is listening to the audiobooks (and has lapped me the bastard) and is really enjoying them, but says the narrator says some words really strangely. Odd armour/mythology words strangely (cuiras..."

Rusalka, re chapter 9: (view spoiler)[ I didn't understand why Atticus was pissed either. Well, wait. I think the Coyote first told him that someone in his tribe had been killed or threatened by that demon and so they needed to avenge her death, which is why he was helping him at that moment rather than waiting maybe for a time that he felt stronger or had more help on his side? Maybe it was that.

I thought it was funny though, with the coyote being that school's mascot and all. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Sarah wrote: "The first couple of pages in this book talked about word pronunciation of the Polish and Irish words which I thought was a nice touch. I suppose there is no need for that on the audio.

Laura, it w..."

Sarah, re: religion (view spoiler)[I think Atticus told Mrs. McDonogh(sp) that it was her faith that made her religion work. I happen to believe that too. Maybe any belief becomes true for a person, if there is enough faith behind it? I rewound this a couple of times on the audio last night while trying to fall asleep, and he used a lot of emphasis explaining to her that it was all about her faith, that's what'll manifest Mary to help him. I thought it was so cool when she appeared! I also loved it that she called him "my child" even though she is so much younger than him. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Rusalka wrote: "Sarah wrote: "The first couple of pages in this book talked about word pronunciation of the Polish and Irish words which I thought was a nice touch. I suppose there is no need for that on the audio..."

Yeah, I missed that opening blurb in the audiobook, and I agree Rusalka, sometimes it's hard to understand the names, but I figure I'll forget those anyway so I just skip on by those parts lol.

[Sarah]

Just about to start chapter 9 - so will read your spoilers in a mo.

[Janice, Moderator]

Rusalka wrote: "Lexx is listening to the audiobooks (and has lapped me the bastard) and is really enjoying them, but says the narrator says some words really strangely. Odd armour/mythology words strangely (cuiras..."

Which narrator is doing the version you have? Luke Daniels is the narrator for the series here in North America. The only complaint I had, and it's not with the narrator because it was written that way, but (view spoiler)[ Atticus adopts a stylized speech pattern to talk to Coyote because he says it makes them feel more comfortable. But he doesn't adopt stylized speech for other cultures. It comes off sounding condescending, and I cringed every time he spoke in that voice.

Are you talking about the anger he spoke with to the teacher? I'm not sure if he was really angry, or just wanted to get her to leave the scene and figured this was the best way. Who's going to stick around if they're being insulted. At any rate, it was kind of weird. (hide spoiler)]

It's been a couple of months since I read this book, and I may not remember details. My mind is like a sieve these days.

[Sarah]

Just finished chapter 9 (view spoiler)[on the first page atticus says to Coyote that Jesus doesn't show up much (which is why he got Mrs MacDonagh to pray for Mary to show) because he doesn't like to see all the pictures/statues of him on the cross. This reminds me of a sketch by comedian Bill Hicks who talks about Jesus returning and perhaps it would be better if there were pictures of loaves and fish about.

As for why Atticus was so pissed at Coyote - I think it was because Coyote said one of his tribe was killed but that wasn't true. Some of the tribe children did attend there so he was looking out for his own either way. I guess Atticus just didn't like being lied to.
(hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

I got the same idea re Atticus being mad, Sarah.

[Janice, Moderator]

Ooops... see, I'd forgotten about Atticus's anger. I thought you all were referring to when (view spoiler)[ he yelled at the teacher. (hide spoiler)]

[Casceil]

I'm back. My power went out in the middle of the afternoon yesterday. We were having a really dramatic storm and it knocked out power to large chunks of Phoenix. We finally got power back around 3:30 a.m., but then we didn't have internet when I first got up this morning. So it's nice to be able to check out the discussion. I was able to read a lot more of Hexed at least. Fortunately, my Kindle was adequately charged. I've read about 80% of the book. I loved the scene with Mary. (view spoiler)[ I liked how the author incorporated the idea from American Gods about gods being created or strengthened by the belief of their followers. I loved it that Atticus could talk Mrs. McDonough through visualizing how and where Mary would appear, and then get her to pray to get Mary to materialize where she could bless his arrows. (hide spoiler)]

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Janice wrote: "Which narrator is doing the version you have? Luke Daniels is the narrator for the series here in North America."

He's listening to the Luke Daniels one. He can't remember any words right at the moment (useless!) but he usually remarks after he's ridden home (90 mins) that there were words that were pronounced wrong.

Put my book down somewhere... so not sure what chapter I'm up to. But there was certainly some interesting happenings in Atticus' house morning after the nightclub...

[Rusalka, Moderator]

End of Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[ Noooooo! Perry!! (hide spoiler)]

I've kinda ripped through this one, sorry for that. Long weekend. Spring. If I haven't been gardening (with my shoes off in honour of Atticus) this has been me (insert a duck and two chickens slightly out of shot):

[Sarah]

Your on an excellent chapter there Rusalka! (in the picture)

I've flown by too. I've just finished at the nightclub so I'm a bit behind but hoping to read some more today. It is a very quick read.

[Laura]

Love the picture, Rusalka! :))

I'm a bit past the nightclub too, and still grooving on this one. I'm thinking maybe the next one in the series would be a good Toppler read. :))

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I was hoping it would fit as the dog read, but it's not *from* a dog's perspective. More Atticus'.

[Sarah]

Could check whether it's set in a national park?!? Wasn't the first one for part of it?

[Laura]

I figured it'd work for the scifi fantasy (but maybe not, does it have to be scifi and fantasy together for that one?) or maybe the werewolves/witches/vampire task.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

That's true, Sarah. And both Laura. Urban fantasy, with werewolves, vamps AND witches!

Chapter 24 (view spoiler)[ Princess Bride shoutout! (hide spoiler)]

[Casceil]

I had the same thought about this series and the toppler. Parts of the first book were set in a national forest, but the third book looks like it takes place in Asgard, on another plane. The fourth book is set in the Arizona desert, so it may visit a national park, but without reading the book it would be hard to determine. Laura,scifi and fantasy is a general category, and a book does not have to be both science fiction and fantasy to fall there. In fact, fans of the genre have very long and heated discussions about the borderline between the two (science fiction vs. fantasy). The Iron Druid series is fantasy, and should fit both 19 and 25. The third book, which visits another plane (Asgard) would probably work for number 31 as well ("Read a book with someone who is not in their own environment – aliens on earth, humans on another planet or a spaceship.")

[Sarah]

Kind of wishing I hadn't read about book 3 being set in Asgard (view spoiler)[as that's bound to mean that Atticus agrees to help Leif kill Thor. (hide spoiler)]

[Casceil]

I'm sorry, Sarah. My bad. I didn't mean to post a spoiler. Since I have already given away that book 4 is in the desert, it occurs to me that it would probably also qualify for 28, place with a shortage of water.

[Sarah]

No worries - it's not a biggie really!

[Laura]

Thanks Casceil. Good ideas & thanks for the clarification re: scifi fantasy. I needed a drought book also!

[Sarah]

I'm in the middle of chapter 16 now. (view spoiler)[The morning after the nightclub was definitely eventful for Atticus! I'm just in the middle of Atticus's discussion with the Priest and Rabbi in his shop! Atticus mentions listening to Rodgrigo y Gabriella - have you guys heard any of their stuff? They are really talented - check them out on youtube if you haven't! As much as I like them, I tend to listen to music with lyrics as I love to sing along (badly). (hide spoiler)]